Directing Attorney

Full-time

No

Directing Attorney of the Housing Rights Team
Location: Redwood City, CA (San Francisco Bay Area)
Mission and Vision
Our mission at the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County is to fight social injustice through civil
legal advocacy for people living in poverty. We believe every person should have the basic
necessities of life, including safe affordable housing, access to health care, economic security,
secure immigration status, an appropriate education, and freedom from violence and abuse.
DEI Commitment
Legal Aid SMC seeks candidates who share our aspirations for a diverse, inclusive, and equitable
workplace. We are committed to affirming differences in race, color, religion, national or ethnic
origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression.
Our Housing Team
We are seeking a Directing Attorney to lead our dedicated Housing Rights Team. The housing
team includes the Litigation Director, two staff attorneys, the Housing Program Operations
Manager, and three project coordinators who work collaboratively on all aspects of the
program. Our housing team is on the front lines of the housing affordability crisis. Housing team
members work to defend tenants against eviction, enforce existing tenant protections through
impact litigation, and advocate for effective and equitable housing policies in partnership with
impacted communities.
Responsibilities
• Planning and Management: We’re looking for a leader who can distill the community’s
needs, the legal landscape, and the housing team’s ideas and feedback into a strategy
that best serves our community. You’ll develop the Housing Rights Team’s strategic
direction, direct the team’s legal and policy advocacy agenda, and make decisions
regarding resource allocation and building team capacity and effectiveness.
• Legal Services: Our Housing Rights Team is passionate about the work we do for our
clients and our community. With the support of the Litigation Director and Housing
Program Operations Manager, you will oversee the work of the housing team including
tenant advice clinics, eviction defense litigation, and housing rights advocacy.
• Community Partnership and Coalition Building: We believe the voices and insight of our
clients and community are an important component of our work toward more equitable
housing policies. You will build and maintain relationships with grassroots community
partners, legal and policy groups, and other allies; leverage Legal Aid SMC’s legal and
policy expertise to enhance capacity of community partners; and participate in local and
state coalitions engaged in policy campaigns.
• Policy Advocacy: Legal Aid SMC is involved in several workgroups and coalitions to make
housing policies more equitable. You’ll further that important work by developing,
analyzing, and promoting policy change at local, regional, and state levels in an inclusive
and collaborative way with Legal Aid SMC’s community and coalition partners.
• Impact Litigation: Our housing team has worked to defend the rights of low-income
tenants in mobile home parks, people residing in recreational vehicles, and adults with
disabilities living in uninhabitable living conditions in an SRO. You’ll work with the team
to develop and pursue strategic litigation, working closely with other housing attorneys,
allies, and pro bono co-counsel.
• Grant and Contract Management: We’re looking for someone who is comfortable
working with funders. With the support of the Director of Operations, you will review
possible sources of funding, assist with drafting of proposals and reports, and ensure
compliance with terms of contracts. We have a well-established, collaborative system
for pursuing funding and managing grants and contracts; you won’t be asked to do this
on your own.
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Legal Aid SMC’s Race Equity Initiative is an organization-
wide strategic priority that is strongly supported by our leadership team. You will lead
the implementation of the organization’s diversity, equity & inclusion goals within your
team, including recruitment and professional development of diverse staff.
Required Qualifications
• Strong commitment to social justice.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in housing law and tenants’
rights.
• California State Bar membership.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and public speaking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strong partnerships with internal and external
stakeholders.
• Experience supervising the performance and professional development of other staff.
• Experience working with grassroots community organizations.
• Experience working on policy advocacy campaigns in collaborative settings.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary: $101,000-$121,000/year DOE. Full-time exempt position.
Benefits: Excellent benefits including health and dental insurance, 401(k) plan, and law school
loan repayment assistance.
COVID-19 Workplace Expectations: Legal Aid SMC is primarily working remotely except for
court appearances, limited outreach, and work that must be performed in the office. Proof of
COVID-19 vaccination is required. Employees are expected to be available to commute to the
office as needed. We provide computers, equipment, supplies, and reimbursement for home
internet and cell phone service needed to work remotely. We expect to offer hybrid in-
office/remote work schedules for most positions in the future.
To Apply: Send your resume, cover letter, and a writing sample to .

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